UN Chief Antonio Guterres Calls for Immediate Lifting of All Syria Sanctions
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for the immediate removal of all sanctions imposed on Syria during the rule of former president Bashar al-Assad, saying the country needs urgent international support to rebuild after more than a decade of devastating conflict.
Speaking at a press conference in Damascus at the end of his two-day visit, Guterres welcomed recent moves by several countries to ease sanctions but said broader restrictions continue to hinder Syria’s economic recovery.
“I welcome steps that have eased sanctions and opened new possibilities for economic recovery, but all these sanctions must be removed immediately,” Guterres said.
Describing Syria as being “at a crossroads,” the UN chief urged the international community to step up assistance for both the Syrian people and the country’s new government, which took office after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Syria Faces Massive Reconstruction Challenge
After more than 13 years of civil war, Syria’s new leadership is attempting to revive the economy, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and restore state institutions. Despite the easing of some Western sanctions, investor confidence remains weak, while the World Bank estimates the country’s reconstruction bill could reach $216 billion.
Guterres said Syria urgently needs investment to restore essential services, revive livelihoods, strengthen institutions, and rebuild its economy.
He also called for greater international support to facilitate the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced people.
According to the UN, around 1.7 million Syrian refugees have returned since Assad’s removal. However, nearly 5.5 million people remain displaced within Syria, while another six million Syrians continue to live abroad.
Meetings With New Leadership
During his visit, Guterres met Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, and the speaker of the country’s newly formed transitional parliament, which held its inaugural session earlier this month.
He also held discussions with members of Syrian civil society, women and youth representatives, minority communities, and UN peacekeepers stationed in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The UN chief visited the notorious Sednaya prison, long regarded as one of the most feared detention facilities under Assad’s government.
‘Transition Moving in the Right Direction’
The international community has repeatedly urged Syria’s new authorities to establish an inclusive political system representing the country’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.
Expressing cautious optimism, Guterres said he believed the country’s political transition was progressing positively.
“I have no doubt that this transition is going in the right direction,” he said.
At the same time, Guterres condemned violations of Syria’s sovereignty after Syrian state media reported an Israeli military incursion and artillery shelling in the country’s south.
He reiterated that Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, as tensions continue along the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where Israeli forces have expanded their military presence and conducted repeated operations following Assad’s overthrow.
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